The Peak District Calendar 2018 by Phil Sproson Photography

It is always eagerly anticipated by previous customers, and every year it finds its way into homes and offices all over the World. I love hearing about how my images of this beautiful Peak District are shared far and wide, with copies of the Peak District Calendar ending up on walls in Australia, Japan and the USA, as well as throughout Europe.

Every year it is a challenge to choose my favourite images to use for the Peak District Calendar. I am very lucky to live and work in such a stunning part of England, and I always wake up to views that I never grow tired of. I am fascinated by the subtle differences produced by the changing seasons, weather and light across the Peak District landscape, and I hope the photographs I have chosen this year inspire you to visit the locations for yourself.

The Peak District Calendar photographs month by month

January: A winter scene captured at Tegg’s Nose Country Park. Tegg’s Nose Country Park is located close to Macclesfield in Cheshire on the western edge of the Peak District National Park, and this serene view looks out across the snow-covered fields towards Shuttlingsloe.

February: The view from Longstone Edge in the Derbyshire Peak District features in this photograph. It was an ethereal morning up on the edge and this image was captured at sunrise. You can see the mists lingering through the trees and on this particular day I decided to not capture the rising sun in the shot.

March: Peak District Morning was captured near to the Goyt Valley, between the Whitehall Outdoor Centre and above the village of Combs. This is one of my favourite photographs of all time. I really love the beautiful light and the field patterns make this image very special.

April: Hope Valley Climbers was a photograph where everything came together perfectly at the right time. The sun was close to setting, the light was casting beautifully across the moor and the climbers were at the point of finishing their climb. Both climbers got in touch with me afterwards to say how much they loved this photograph of themselves.

May: This photograph features the picturesque Monsal Viaduct, captured from Monsal Head at sunset in late Spring. This is a very pretty area, and I love the lush greens in this image and the beautiful view along Monsale Dale into the Wye Valley.

June:Stanage Edge is a gritstone edge that runs for approximately 4 miles above the village of Hathersage. It’s a really special place for me – the views from the top along the Hope Valley are fantastic, and up there it’s an otherworldly landscape. It’s a popular place with climbers and walkers, as well as the occasional paraglider, as you can see in this image.

July: This was another case of being in exactly the right place at the right time to capture a perfect shot. This image was not staged in any way – the couple were enjoying a leisurely summer picnic looking along the Hope Valley from Higger Tor as the sun set. I love how the contours of the hills are really clearly defined in the mist. I’m proud that Visit Peak District used this image in one of their main marketing campaigns.

August: This shot was taken from Higger Tor and looks back towards Over Owler Tor and Millstone Edge, with purple heather in the foreground. To me, this photograph sums up the Peak District, which is why I chose it as the cover picture. It features the hills, the heather, the rocks, the winding roads and huge expanses of moor.

September: Another very special place for me – this shot was taken in late summer looking from Kinder Downfall, the highest waterfall in the Peak District, on the top of Kinder Scout. From here you get fantastic views down into the areas around Hayfield and New Mills.

October: Autumn is perhaps my favourite time of year and there is nowhere better to see beautiful autumnal colours than Padley Gorge, close to the village of Grindleford. Here the little stream of Burbage Brook rushes through the tree-lined gorge, and the moss-covered rocks add to the vivid colours.

November: I love the hazy blue tones of this shot taken above the village of Hathersage from the road to Ringinglow. The hills of the Hope Valley stretch out into the distance and the two cyclists were clearly enjoying being outside in the fresh Peak District air.

December: I was very lucky to have fresh snowfall and unbroken snow in front of me with this delightful sunrise. The photo was taken on Mam Tor and looks out towards the Great Ridge, through to Lose Hill.